Twenty years ago, at a serious crossroads, I applied for all airlines and a few months later I officially became a flight attendant. I loved new jobs and had a whole new and exciting life.
But I didn’t sign up for what this summer trip would look like.
The pandemic has changed more than any other event in my career. If 9/11 changed the way we board the plane and enter the airport, Covid-19 changed the flight experience all at once. It created tension and made everyone nervous. It brought politics to an area that should not be political.
In the early days of the pandemic, airlines sought to save as much money as possible. They allowed early retirement and offended many employees. What’s more, many other employees stop being with their families. Currently, there is a shortage of employees. With the withdrawal of Maskman Date, passenger numbers began to grow faster than airlines could handle. Now we are overworked due to lack of staff. Not only pilots and flight attendants, but also ground crew. You might not think of a ground crew, but without a ground crew, you can park your plane, drive a boarding bridge to get on and off, load and collect your luggage, and scan your boarding pass. You can’t.
What is not common knowledge is that flight crew members usually have a limit of 12 to 16 hours of work at a stretch. In addition to being unsafe, it is illegal to fly longer. If your crew hits that time late, it doesn’t matter if you’re somewhere, we’ll end when we’re done. Currently, there is a possibility that the flight will be canceled due to the small number of backup crews.
Historically, summer has always been a difficult time to fly, but this summer is much worse. With thousands of cancellations and delays each week, I don’t seem to see any relief. I have seen many people miss important things like weddings, cruises, international connections and even funerals. Tears are so real and for so real reasons that there is nothing I can help as a flight attendant.
Travel is good for the soul. It rejuvenates us and allows us to re-center. From time to time, you need to feel the sand under your toes, smell the fresh pine trees, or soak in the sounds of the new city to remind you that you are still alive. But the key to this summer is to travel wisely. Plan and prepare in advance to reduce the stress of your trip as much as possible. Here’s my best advice based on 20 years of working at 30,000 feet.
Go fast
If you are going on a cruise, please leave the day before. Count it as part of your vacation. Stay and explore hotels in the new city. Enjoy a nice dinner and a glass of wine. Wake up slowly, drink coffee and pancakes, and slowly head to the boat. The extra money is worth the peace of mind. I recently worked on a delayed flight. The family of eight missed their only flight of the day, the connecting flight to Rome. They went on a cruise that they would now miss. (Purchasing travel insurance is not a bad idea.)
Always fly directly
That way, if you’re late, you don’t have to worry about your next flight. If you cannot avoid connecting, do not book the shortest transfer. You may be stressed and miss your flight. An hour transfer is no longer enough. 30 minutes, not a chance. In most cases, 3 hours is safe.
Fly as early as possible in the day
The first flight of the day is rarely canceled. Thunderstorms occur as the day warms, flight crews reach work limits later in the day, and traffic increases at crowded airports. Yes, that may mean a 3am alarm, but if an early flight is canceled, you will have more options to rebook another flight.
Download the airline app you are flying
These apps have valuable information. They prevent you from having to wait in an incredibly long line or trying to call someone if things go wrong. You can track your bag, your incoming plane, and in some cases you will know that the flight has been canceled before the flight crew knows. The app will also guide you in rebooking new flights as needed.
Think carefully about the cheapest fares
The flight is full. If you buy the cheapest seat, you may not be able to sit with your family. It says so when you buy your ticket. The flight attendants aren’t there to relocate the entire plane so they can sit together because they tried to save money on a third-party website. Also, if your flight is oversold and no one volunteers to give up your seat, the first thing you’ll run into is a family that saves a few dollars using a bargain website.
Pack smartly
Don’t be “that man”. Do not postpone boarding as the extender is open until it bursts and you do not know how to fit the bag overhead.
Please bring a sweater
The secrets of flight attendants are: You may intentionally keep the plane cold. For those suffering from motion sickness, fever exacerbates motion sickness. We don’t want anyone to use those sick bags.
Don’t tell the flight attendants that they look tired
We are, and we know. You may cry ugly right next to the galley.
Bring patience
Be nice. Our goal for all airlines is to reach their destination. At least you aren’t working.
Kristie Koerbel is a longtime flight attendant who has previously shared advice on Facebook.
